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  • VIDEO: Fawad Ch removes successor Firdous Ashiq Awan from Imran cabinet’s WhatsApp group

    VIDEO: Fawad Ch removes successor Firdous Ashiq Awan from Imran cabinet’s WhatsApp group

    Incumbent Federal Minister for Science & Technology and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry has removed his successor Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan from the WhatsApp group of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s cabinet after Awan, who had been handed the reins of the Information Ministry last year, was removed as the special assistant to the PM on information and broadcasting.

    Ever since Fawad was replaced by non-elected Awan in 2019, reports had hinted at a possible rift among the ranks of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The now science & tech minister had also discussed with a media outlet the cold war that was going on within the ruling party, saying that “non-elected people had the power to change portfolios of ministers” and “important decisions were made without many team members knowing about them”.

    Among several other reported spats between Fawad and Awan, with the ex-SAPM even complaining of some lawmakers’ behaviour to PM Imran, Fawad’s statements of a battle going on between elected and non-elected members was followed by Awan “admiring Fawad’s ‘struggle to always stay in headlines“.

    Amid rumours that the two weren’t best of friends ever since Fawad’s removal and Awan’s subsequent appointment, the federal minister had earlier this year even called out PM Imran’s former aide on “illiterate” remarks regarding Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar.

    With Awan being replaced by former military bigwig Lt Gen (r) Asim Bajwa on Monday and PTI Senator Shibli Faraz being handed the reins of the Information Ministry, senior journalist and analyst Arshad Sharif asked if Fawad, being an admin of the WhatsApp group of PM Imran’s cabinet, had added Faraz and removed his successor, cracking the minister up.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    “That is how it is. If they go, they have to be removed,” a smiling Fawad told the journalist, adding that he was shocked to know that Sharif knew about the group, its admins and whatever happened in it.

  • Couple uses scone dough to recreate scenes from ‘Game of Thrones’ during COVID-19 lockdown

    Couple uses scone dough to recreate scenes from ‘Game of Thrones’ during COVID-19 lockdown

    Bored by the weeks-long coronavirus lockdown? Not Hungarian film buffs Fanni and Norbert who have recreated dozens of scenes in their flat from Ghost, Game of Thrones, Scarface and other films using whatever household utensils they could find.

    The couple’s photos quickly went viral on social media, and now they just can’t stop, coming up every day with new ideas.

    “Inspiration struck when we were in the kitchen cooking,” said Norbert Hosszu, 30, as he prepared to put on a wig to act out a scene in which Tyrion Lannister pours himself a glass of red wine at his wedding in the Game of Thrones.

    The couple, who used to work as improvisation actors before the coronavirus crisis hit, quickly recreated the scene in their kitchen using the scone dough. Viewers now write to them asking for more, and also ask for scenes from specific movies.

    “Fanni and I have always liked to dress up, and when we were at university we went to a lot of costume parties. And of course, we both love movies and work with theatre,” Norbert said.

    Read more – Game of Thrones – The Pakistani style

    Which scenes they select depends on what they can find at home: flour instead of cocaine, tinned tomatoes instead of blood, a vacuum cleaner instead of a gun.

    “I just hope that these photos will bring a smile to people’s faces,” Fanni said.

    Check out their pictures below:

    Read more – ‘Game of Thrones’ quotes for Pakistani politicians

  • PM’s spokesperson ‘confuses’ Lt Gen (r) Asim Bajwa with Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor in congratulatory message

    PM’s spokesperson ‘confuses’ Lt Gen (r) Asim Bajwa with Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor in congratulatory message

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s spokesperson on trade and investment for the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe, Sahibzada Jahangir, has confused two of the military’s former spokespersons while congratulating one of them over his appointment as the special assistant to PM (SAPM) on information and broadcasting.

    Former Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director general (DG) Lt Gen (r) Asim Bajwa on Monday replaced Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan as the premier’s media aide while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Shibli Faraz was appointed as the new federal minister for information.

    With the new appointments being reported, congratulatory messages starting pouring in on Twitter, among which was that of Jahangir, who is also the elder brother of former PTI senior leader Fauzia Kasuri.

    The now-deleted tweet by Jahangir, a screenshot of which is available with The Current, congratulated Asim Bajwa while the picture attached along with the tweet showed the PM’s spokesperson with Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor instead.

    Ghafoor had replaced Bajwa as the ISPR chief in late 2016.

    The congratulatory message has once again been tweeted by Jahangir, but this time without a picture.

    https://twitter.com/ChicoJahangir/status/1254807812317855746

    “Congratulations to Lt.Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa on his desrved appointment as SAPM for Broadcasting & Information. I extend best wishes to him. @ImranKhanPTI @AsimBajwaISPR [sic],” it states.

    Jahangir, who is among PM Imran Khan’s oldest friends, was appointed as the premier’s spokesperson on trade and investment for the UK and Europe on an honorary basis in July 2019.

    PTI leaders say that Jahangir has always played a central role in raising funds for PTI, Shaukat Khanum Hospital and NAMAL University. They say his appointment was an acknowledgment of the loyal workers of PTI who have always stood by Imran.

    According to Jahangir, who had in 2018 refused to take charge as SAPM on foreign investment after criticism over social media, he does not take any salary or privileges while acting on behalf of the PM to take trade and business to Pakistan and generate more interest in investment in the country.

  • Over 700 dead after consuming poison to cure COVID-19

    Over 700 dead after consuming poison to cure COVID-19

    More than 700 people have died after ingesting toxic methanol, thinking it can cure the new coronavirus — COVID-19.

    According to Al Jazeera, the incident took place in Iran where the national coroner’s authority says that alcohol poisoning has killed 728 Iranians between February 20 and April 7 amid the coronavirus outbreak as compared to last year’s 66 fatalities from the same.

    An adviser to the Iranian Health Ministry, Hossein Hassanian, said that the difference in death tallies is because some alcohol poisoning victims died outside of hospital.

    Some 200 people died outside of hospitals, Hassanian was quoted as saying.

    Iran is facing the worst coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East with 5,806 deaths and more than 91,000 confirmed case.

    Methanol cannot be smelled or tasted in drinks. It causes delayed organ and brain damage. Symptoms include chest pain, nausea, hyperventilation, blindness and even coma.

    In Iran, the government mandates that manufacturers of toxic methanol add an artificial color to their products so the public can tell it apart from ethanol, the kind of alcohol that can be used in cleaning wounds. Ethanol is found in alcoholic beverages, though its production is illegal in Iran.

    READ: Britain, France, Germany bypass US sanctions to send medical aid to virus-hit Iran

    Some bootleggers in Iran use methanol, adding a splash of bleach to mask the added color before selling it as drinkable. Methanol also can contaminate traditionally fermented alcohol.

    The consumption of alcohol is generally prohibited in Iran. However, minority Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians can drink alcoholic beverages in private.

    Following the coronavirus outbreak, Iran’s government announced it would issue permission for new alcohol factories quickly.

    Iran has currently some 40 alcohol factory that have been allocated for pharmaceutical and sanitising items.

    The report comes days after United States (US) President Donald Trump raised the possibility of injecting disinfectant into patients, causing an international uproar with manufacturers, doctors and government agencies rushing out warnings against consuming disinfectants like bleach.

  • Ever wondered where ‘Ramzan aya Roza Rakhoji’ kid is?

    Ever wondered where ‘Ramzan aya Roza Rakhoji’ kid is?

    Three years ago, a song on Ramazan ‘Ramazan Aaya Roza Rakho Ji’ went viral on social media. The kid behind the track became an overnight sensation as the song and its video went viral.

    The song, sung by Rais Anis Sabri, gained popularity for its distinctive beat, an iconic video, and the kid’s unbeatable expressions.

    The kid is once again doing rounds on social media but this time for a different reason. His fans found out where is he now and surely he is now all grown up and almost unrecognisable.

    Sabri has four thousand followers on Instagram and he keeps updating his fans about his activities. Hailing from, Jalalabad, Uttar Pradesh in India, the singer has met the likes of Bollywood music icons like AR Rahman and Kailash Kher.

    Rais Anis Sabri got fame with several of his qawwalis and the 26-year-old has also won several awards.

  • Three years ban for Umar Akmal for violating PCB’s anti-corruption code

    Three years ban for Umar Akmal for violating PCB’s anti-corruption code

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned Umar Akmal from all cricket for three years for violating the board’s anti-corruption code by not reporting a fixing offer before the start of the fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    In a press release, the board stated: “The Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel, Mr Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan, in short order on Monday, handed Umar Akmal a three-year ban from all cricket. The PCB will release reasons as soon as it receives them from Justice Chauhan.”

    The board said that a detailed hearing was held at the National Cricket Academy where the cricketer represented himself and was heard at length. Mr Taffazul Rizvi represented the PCB.

    Akmal was charged with two breaches of Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code in two unrelated incidents on March 17. He had earlier on February 20 been suspended from playing and was also not allowed to participate in the fifth edition of the PSL in which he was playing for Quetta Gladiators.

    Article 2.4.4 of the PCB Anti-Corruption Code reads as: “Failing to disclose to the PCB Vigilance and Security Department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the Participant to engage in Corrupt Conduct under this Anti-Corruption Code.”

    On April 9, the PCB referred the matter to Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee after determining that the batsman had not requested for a hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal.

    Read more – ‘Where’s the fat?’ Umar Akmal bares all in fitness test

    PCB Director – Anti-Corruption and Security, Lt Col Asif Mahmood, said: “The PCB doesn’t take any pleasure in seeing a promising international cricketer being declared ineligible for three years on corruption charges, but this is once again a timely reminder to all who think they can get away by breaching the anti-corruption code.”

    “I request all professional cricketers to stay away from the menace of corruption and immediately inform relevant authorities as soon as they are approached. This is in their as well as their teams’ and country’s best interest.”

    Meanwhile, here is what former cricketer Ramiz Raja has to say on the matter.

  • Ex-ISPR chief Asim Bajwa replaces Firdous as PM’s special assistant, new info minister also appointed

    Ex-ISPR chief Asim Bajwa replaces Firdous as PM’s special assistant, new info minister also appointed

    Former Inter-Services Public Relation (ISPR) director-general (DG) and military bigwig Lieutenant General (r) Asim Bajwa has replaced Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan as Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s special assistant on information and broadcasting, while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Shibli Faraz has been handed reins of the Information Ministry.

    According to the details, while Firdous has been removed from her position, Faraz has been appointed as the federal information minister — a post that had lied vacant ever since the premier removed incumbent Federal Minister for Science & Technology Fawad Chaudhry last year.

    Faraz is an investment banker by profession and was a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) pilot and then a civil servant. He contested the election for the Kohat district mayor in 2002 and his uncle Barrister Syed Masood Kausar is a former governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). He is the son of the late poet Ahmad Faraz.

    Firdous’s successor, Bajwa, on the other hand, is currently also serving as the chairman of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority.

    During his military career, Bajwa has served on multiple instructional and command-level posts, such as leading the 111th Infantry Brigade. Besides serving as a brigade major at an infantry brigade and serving as the chief of staff at a strike corps, Bajwa has also instructed courses at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul and the Command and Staff College in Quetta.

    He has also served as the deputy military secretary to the president of Pakistan.

    In December 2010, he was promoted to the rank of a major general and in June 2012, as the ISPR chief — preceding former military spokesperson Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor.

    In September 2015, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general, appointed inspector general (arms) at General Headquarters (GHQ) in December 2016 and later Southern Command commander.

  • Eight out of 20 test positive for coronavirus at ARY office

    The founder and CEO of ARY Digital Network, Salman Iqbal, has tweeted that eight out of 20 random test results at ARY’s Islamabad office came positive for coronavirus, following which the channel has closed the office and all of its staff will be tested.

    ARY anchor Sabir Shakir has tweeted that three staff members tested positive after they went to Faisal Edhi’s home and other three after going to a mosque that has been sealed. Most of the affectees were field reporters or staff.

    Related: ARY’s Kashif Abbasi’s interview with The Current in the Islamabad office

    Some of ARY’s most popular shows, including Off the Record with Kashif Abbasi is based in Islamabad as well as Arshad Sharif’s programme.

    Pakistan currently has almost 13,700 cases and more than 250 people have died. There has been a spike in cases this past week and 92 health professionals in Pakistan have tested positive for the virus.

    ARY’s head office is in Karachi.

  • South Korea says North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is ‘alive and well’

    South Korea says North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is ‘alive and well’

    Officials in South Korea are calling for caution amid reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has died after a botched heart surgery or may be severely ill, emphasising that they have detected no unusual movements across the border in the north.

    At a closed-door forum on Sunday, South Korea’s Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul, who oversees engagement with the North, said the government has the intelligence capabilities to say with confidence that there was nothing unusual happening, Al Jazeera reported.

    Rumours and speculation over the North Korean leader’s health began after he did not appear at a key state holiday on April 15. He has not been seen in public since.

    READ: North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un reportedly dead after botched heart surgery

    “Our government’s position is firm,” Moon Chung-in, a special adviser on national security to the South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, said in an interview with CNN on Sunday. “Kim Jong-un is alive and well.”

    The adviser said that Kim had been staying in Wonsan – a resort town on the country’s east coast – since 13 April, adding, “No suspicious movements have so far been detected.”

    “We have nothing to confirm and no special movement has been detected inside North Korea as of now,” the South’s presidential office said in a statement last week.

    Speculation about Kim grew after Daily NK, a Seoul-based online media outlet that employs North Korean defectors, claimed he was recovering after undergoing a “cardiovascular procedure” earlier this month.

    Citing a single unidentified source inside the country, it said Kim, who is believed to be 36, had required urgent treatment due to heavy smoking, obesity and fatigue.

    Soon afterwards, CNN reported that Washington was “monitoring intelligence” that Kim was in “grave danger” after undergoing surgery, quoting what it said was an anonymous US official.

    Meanwhile, it has also been reported that Kim has sent a message of gratitude to workers building a tourist resort in Wonsan.

  • With no social gatherings, flower vendors suffer the brunt of lockdown

    The lockdown imposed by the Punjab government to control the spread of coronavirus has caused inconvenience to many citizens especially daily wage workers and vendors.

    Among those affected by the lockdown are flower vendors, who are facing the same problems as everything is shut down and no events are happening in the province. At this time, what we can do is order some flowers to help them earn their living. And they are selling these at cheaper rates.

    This guy Danish is in contact with three to four different vendors and is helping them to sell their flowers They do not deliver. They have roses, glass and statice.

    Florist Safder

    You can contact the florist at 0333-4120804.

    You can buy:

    Glads for Rs 25

    Statice Rs 100 per dozen

    Aster cluster for Rs 100

    Roses for Rs 100 per dozen

    They also deliver at home. Delivery charges vary according to the area.